In a troubling development for the Indian student community in the United States, dozens of F-1 visa holders have been ordered to self-deport after their student visas were suddenly revoked due to minor criminal offences—some of which had already been legally resolved. The affected students, many of whom are enrolled in STEM and graduate programs, have reportedly received no prior warning before being informed of their visa cancellation and ordered to leave the country.
This latest wave of deportation actions appears to follow a similar pattern observed earlier this year, when emails directing students to self-deport were linked to alleged campus activism, as reported by the Times of India in March. Unlike serious violations, the offences in question this time include minor infractions such as traffic violations or disputes that did not previously jeopardize a student’s legal status.
Legal experts and immigrant rights advocates are expressing concern over what they see as a disproportionate response, especially given the ambiguity surrounding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent actions. Several students claim they were not given an opportunity to explain or appeal before being forced to arrange immediate travel back to India.
The Indian government and consular officials in the U.S. are reportedly looking into the matter and have reached out to affected students for support. Meanwhile, anxiety has spread within Indian student communities across American campuses, as many now fear that even resolved or minor legal issues could put their academic and immigration status at risk.
With over 2.6 lakh Indian students currently studying in the United States—the second-largest group of international students in the country—this incident raises serious questions about due process, fairness, and the future of U.S.-India educational exchange.
